French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| French Bulldog | Boston Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Small |
| Adult weight | Up to 12.7 kg | 5.4 to 11.3 kg |
| In pounds | Up to 28 lb | 12 to 25 lb |
| Adult height | 28 to 33 cm | 25 to 30 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | High |
| Grooming | Low | Moderate |
| Coat | Short smooth | Short smooth |
| Shedding | Moderate | Low |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years | 11 to 13 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Usually good | Usually good |
| Country of origin | France | United States |
The main differences
- The French Bulldog is the bigger dog: Up to 12.7 kg against 5.4 to 11.3 kg for the Boston Terrier.
- The Boston Terrier needs more exercise: high energy against moderate for the French Bulldog.
- The Boston Terrier takes more grooming (moderate) than the French Bulldog (low).
- The Boston Terrier usually lives longer: 11 to 13 years against 10 to 12 years.
Temperament
French Bulldog: Vivacious, deeply affectionate and intelligent, full of courage yet with clown-like qualities.
Boston Terrier: Amusing, bright and friendly, the Boston Terrier is a gentle, people oriented companion that is easily trained and always ready to play.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
French Bulldog
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), graded by a vet on an exercise tolerance test
- Hereditary cataract (HC-HSF4-2), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
- Skin fold and eye problems linked to the flat face, found on a routine veterinary skin and eye check
Boston Terrier
- A brachycephalic breed, so care must be taken that they do not become overheated in warm weather
- Sensitive to cold, needing a coat in cold weather and limited time outside
- Prominent eyes that are easily hurt and should be checked daily, with any cloudiness or squinting seen by a vet the same day
Common questions
Which is bigger, the French Bulldog or the Boston Terrier?
The French Bulldog. Adults weigh Up to 12.7 kg, against 5.4 to 11.3 kg for the Boston Terrier, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the French Bulldog or the Boston Terrier?
The published life expectancy is 10 to 12 years for the French Bulldog and 11 to 13 years for the Boston Terrier. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the French Bulldog or the Boston Terrier better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin